On the third season of Ultimate Survival Alaska, Team Military are, from left to right: Daniel Dean, Jared Ogden, and Grady Powell.

After narrowly losing to Team Endurance last year, Team Military is out for revenge. With their eyes on the prize, two Ultimate Survival Alaska veterans, former Green Beret Grady Powell and former Navy SEAL Jared Ogden, lead season newbie Daniel Dean, a former Marine scout sniper, in their quest to capture the prize for good this year. Will their impressive skill set and competitive will to win be enough?

Jared Ogden‘s skills last season helped Team Military nearly capture the win last season, and he returns to Alaska determined to succeed. A former Navy SEAL, Ogden’s training has helped him immensely in Alaska, with skills in cold-weather tactics, survival in hostile environments and small unit tactics.

Most important to success, Ogden believes, is the ability to adapt and think outside the box. After breaking his neck prior to entering Navy SEAL selection in 2006, Ogden recovered after being bedridden for four months to become a Navy SEAL officer, leading some of the world’s most dangerous covert operations. Among other recognitions, Ogden was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for valor and the Combat Action Ribbon. He’d sure like to add an Ultimate Survival Alaska win to his achievements, too.

Grady Powell makes his living teaching others how to survive. One of the country’s youngest ever Green Berets, Grady now trains military, law enforcement, and civilians on survival training. Powell is highly skilled in winter and desert survival techniques, and as a self-described “minimalist,” Powell often ventures into the woods with almost nothing and challenges himself to make it back alive.

Nearly important as his tactical skills is his morale-building spirit. Last season, Grady’s moral and physical support was invaluable to his teammates, helping them through the most adverse situations. Always quick with a joke, he embodies the idea of being forever optimistic, a trait that’s crucial when times get tough and teammates become frustrated by the wilderness’ inevitable treachery.

Team Military’s rookie member Daniel Dean was selected to join Ultimate Survival Alaska after he applied to a National Geographic Channel casting contest for the show. Daniel thrives on his quick impulses, a skill that will come in handy in Alaska’s tough terrain where there’s no time for second guesses.

At age 20, he decided on a whim to join the Marines, enlisted the next day and rose to the position of a scout sniper, training in survival, escape and evasion along the way. Daniel will bring his physical toughness and mental sharpness to Team Military to help Jared and Grady finally win the competition. And the team’s newest member is well-versed in competition of a different kind; he’s currently pursuing a career as a country music star in Nashville.

Learn more about Team Military in the video profile below, and don’t miss the Ultimate Survival Alaska premiere THIS Sunday, January 4 at 9/8c.

Comments

Natilie Cavnar

United States

December 30, 2014, 3:35 pm

I am so hoping that they win this year, I was so upset when Rudy got hurt and had to leave the show, but my whole family and I loved how Grady and Jared pulled together and worked so close as a team, they were so close to winning. Good luck this year guys, the Cavnars are pulling for you all. God Bless

Ok Military…..this is your year! I hope to see Daniel show some teamwork and follow his teammates suggestions going forward. Since his skill set is so limited, it would be helpful if maybe he could emerge as the comic relief or as the rah rah guy on the team that never lets anything get him down. Morale is as important as any survival skill. I know hundreds of Vets like me are pulling for you. With our troops coming home, it would mean a lot to have the military team win it all this year! GO MILITARY!

Kelly Cornelius

Mustang, Oklahoma

January 5, 2015, 8:28 pm

Ok Military…..this is your year! I hope to see Daniel show some teamwork and follow his teammates suggestions going forward. Since his skill set is so limited, it would be helpful if maybe he could emerge as the comic relief or as the rah rah guy on the team that never lets anything get him down. Morale is as important as any survival skill. I know many Vets just like me that are pulling for you guys. With the troops coming home this year from Afghanistan, it would be great if you guys could win it all. GO MILITARY!